Online Parenting Program for Forcibly Displaced Families

(PIMonline Trial)

Overseen By Martha Project Manager, B.S.

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Arizona State University

Disqualifiers: Prisoners, Impaired decision-making, Active psychosis, others

Approved in 1 Jurisdiction This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 16

720 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial evaluates an online program called Parenting in the Moment, designed to support parents who have experienced forced displacement. The program focuses on skill development to help parents improve their parenting skills and enhance their children's well-being. Participants will either join the program or receive a list of parenting resources and later access the program. Families who have arrived in the U.S. within the last 10 years, have a child aged 6 to 12, and can participate in English, Spanish, Arabic, or French are well-suited for this trial. The study aims to gather data to potentially make this program more widely available to families in need. As an unphased trial, it offers a unique opportunity for families to contribute to the development of a program that could benefit many others in similar situations.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems focused on evaluating a parenting program, so it's unlikely to require changes to your medication.

What prior data suggests that the Parenting in the Moment online program is safe for families?

A previous study found the Parenting in the Moment (PIM) online program to be well-received by parents forced to move from their homes. Research shows that online parenting programs like PIM can assist families without causing major issues. Available studies report no negative effects linked to the PIM program, suggesting its safety for participants.

The PIM program aims to support parents and strengthen family relationships. Studies highlight the importance of providing accessible support to families who have experienced trauma due to forced migration. While researchers continue to study the PIM program, its focus on practical parenting skills makes it a promising and safe choice for families seeking help. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Online Parenting Program for Forcibly Displaced Families because it offers a flexible and accessible way to support parents dealing with the stress and challenges of displacement. Unlike traditional in-person parenting classes, this program is delivered online, making it accessible to families no matter where they are located. It combines practical parenting strategies with a comprehensive resource list, aiming to equip parents with the tools they need to manage their unique circumstances effectively. This new approach could potentially reach a wider audience and provide timely support to those who need it most.

What evidence suggests that the Parenting in the Moment online program is effective for forcibly displaced families?

Research shows that the Parenting in the Moment (PIM) online program, which participants in this trial may receive, can help families who have experienced forced migration. Early results suggest that online parenting programs like PIM improve parent-child relationships and enhance family well-being. Studies indicate that these programs teach parents skills to better support their children, especially in challenging situations. While the specific results of the PIM program are still under assessment, other similar programs have shown promise in improving family interactions and child safety. Overall, the aim is to provide support and resources that help families thrive in their new environments. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Abigail Gewirtz, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

Arizona State University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for families who have been forcibly displaced within the last 10 years and are now in the USA. It's specifically for parents of school-aged children who speak English, Spanish, Arabic, or French. One parent and one child from each family can join. Families already using a similar online parenting program cannot participate.

Inclusion Criteria

The Parent is able to consent for self and Child If the PCG does not have the legal right to provide Parent permission for the Child to participate, the Child's legal Parent/Caregiver can provide consent while the PCG actively participates in the study with the Child

I can participate and respond in English, Spanish, Arabic, or French.

I am the main caregiver for a child aged 6-12 who lives with me at least half the time.

Exclusion Criteria

Prisoners

I have difficulty making decisions due to my health condition.

Disclosed active psychosis of Parent or Child

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Online eligibility screening form

Baseline Data Collection

Baseline data collection including caregiver online surveys, Family Interaction Task conversations, and child surveys

4 weeks

Online and virtual visits

Intervention

Caregivers assigned to the intervention condition receive the PIMonline program and a Family Resource List

4 months

Online program access

Posttest Data Collection

Posttest data collection at 4 months including caregiver surveys, Family Interaction Tasks, and child surveys

4 weeks

Online and virtual visits

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for long-term outcomes and effectiveness of the intervention

16 months

Online and virtual visits at 16 months posttest

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Parenting in the Moment Online Program

Trial Overview The study tests an online parenting program called Parenting in the Moment (PIM) to see if it helps improve skills for parents with forced migration backgrounds. Half of the participating families will use PIM while the other half will receive a resource list only as a control group.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Parenting Intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will receive the PIMonline program and a list of Parenting resources.

Group II: Control Placebo Group 1 Intervention

Participants will receive a list of Parenting resources. Once the study period ends, they will be given access to the PIMonline program.

Parenting in the Moment Online Program is already approved in United States for the following indications:

Approved in United States as Parenting in the Moment for:

• Support for parents with experiences of forced displacement
• Improvement of child safety and wellbeing
• Strengthening public health support for forcibly displaced families

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Arizona State University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

311

Recruited

109,000+

Department of Health and Human Services

Collaborator

Trials

240

Recruited

944,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Over half of the military parents (52.2%) used online components of a parenting program, while a majority (73.2%) attended at least one face-to-face session, indicating a strong interest in both formats.

Parents with higher education levels and those offered incentives were more likely to engage in online components, while those with longer deployment times were less likely to participate online, suggesting that tailored approaches may enhance engagement in Internet-based interventions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

If You Build It, Will They Come? Patterns of Internet-Based and Face-To-Face Participation in a Parenting Program for Military Families. Doty, JL., Rudi, JH., Pinna, KL., et al.[2018]

The adaptation of the Parents Connect for Healthy Living (PConnect) program from in-person to virtual format during the COVID-19 pandemic was successful, maintaining core elements while modifying session length and group composition, which allowed for higher participation rates, especially via smartphones.

The virtual format of PConnect was found to be acceptable and appropriate for low-income, ethnically diverse families, demonstrating that digital interventions can effectively reach and engage participants in resource-limited settings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adaptation and implementation outcomes of a parenting program for low-income, ethnically diverse families delivered virtually versus in-person. Grafft, N., Aftosmes-Tobio, A., Gago, C., et al.[2023]

The brief, online mindful parenting program called Two Hearts was found to be feasible and acceptable for parents, with all six participants completing the 4-week program and reporting lasting benefits.

Three out of six parents showed a reliable reduction in parenting stress after the program, with two achieving clinically significant improvements, indicating potential effectiveness for some parents, though adherence and dosage need further exploration.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A brief online mindful parenting program: Feasibility and initial effects pilot in a community sample. Sherwood, A., Paynter, J., Emerson, LM.[2023]

A new online parenting program, based on the evidence-based GenerationPMTO intervention, was found to be highly acceptable to participants and showed preliminary effectiveness in improving parenting practices and reducing child behavior problems.

In a mixed-methods study involving participant self-reports, significant improvements were observed in parental efficacy and child behavior from baseline to 4 weeks post-intervention, indicating the program's potential as a valuable resource for families lacking access to traditional parenting interventions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The acceptability and preliminary effectiveness of a brief, online parenting program: Expanding access to Evidence-Based parenting intervention content. Holtrop, K., Casaburo, G., Hickman, T., et al.[2023]

Parents who participated in the Triple P Online Brief program showed greater improvements in child behavior when they had higher initial behavior problems, were older, and experienced more conflict over parenting, indicating that these factors can help identify families who may benefit most from online interventions.

Improvements in parenting skills were linked to higher initial levels of ineffective parenting, while younger children and less disagreement among parents were associated with completing the program, suggesting that certain family dynamics influence engagement and outcomes in online parenting programs.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Predictors of Program Use and Child and Parent Outcomes of A Brief Online Parenting Intervention. Baker, S., Sanders, MR.[2018]

The eConnect online parenting program was highly feasible for forcibly displaced parents, achieving 100% enrollment and 89.6% attendance, indicating strong acceptability and engagement with the intervention.

The program significantly improved youth mental health problems and family functioning, suggesting it effectively supports displaced families, although it unexpectedly worsened parent-reported youth attachment insecurity, highlighting the need for further investigation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Attachment and trauma-informed programme to support forcibly displaced parents of youth in Sweden: feasibility and preliminary outcomes of the eConnect Online programme. Kristen, A., Salari, R., Moretti, M., et al.[2023]

The ezParent program, a tablet-based adaptation of a parent training program, was used by 59 parents of young children in low-income areas, revealing that those who completed more modules experienced greater benefits from the program.

Parents who faced barriers to completing the modules were less likely to report benefits, indicating that understanding user experiences can help improve the design and effectiveness of digital parenting interventions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Low-Income Parents' Perceptions of and Engagement With a Digital Behavioral Parent Training Program: A Mixed-Methods Study. Brager, J., Breitenstein, SM., Miller, H., et al.[2021]

The Virtual-VIPP program, an online adaptation of a parenting intervention, has been shown to be feasible and well-received by families, demonstrating similar effectiveness to traditional face-to-face methods.

A systematic review of 17 trials indicates that online parenting interventions can reach a broader audience and offer better cost-effectiveness, but further rigorous testing of their efficacy is necessary.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Development of the virtual-VIPP and a systematic review of online support for families during the COVID-19 pandemic. van Ijzendoorn, MH., Stevens, E., Bakermans-Kranenburg, MJ.[2023]

A systematic review of 75 studies published between 1998 and 2010 found that online parenting support generally leads to positive outcomes for parents and children, with a total of 1,615 parents and 740 children involved in experimental evaluations.

The review highlights that most online resources focus on supporting parents of preschool children, particularly in health-related topics, but suggests that combining multiple support components in one platform is still uncommon, indicating room for improvement in future online parenting interventions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Peer and professional parenting support on the Internet: a systematic review. Nieuwboer, CC., Fukkink, RG., Hermanns, JM.[2018]

A study involving 160 low-income parents showed that most had good access to the internet and were comfortable using it, indicating a strong potential for internet-based parent training programs.

In a pilot study with 89 parents, while there was high initial interest in an online parenting program, only 9% reported frequent use, highlighting the need for strategies to encourage deeper engagement with the program.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Feasibility of Internet-based Parent Training for Low-income Parents of Young Children. McGoron, L., Hvizdos, E., Bocknek, EL., et al.[2019]

The online training program significantly improved resource parents' knowledge and reports of their children's positive behavior immediately after the intervention, with 82 participants involved in the study.

Parents who completed the training reported high satisfaction and felt that the workshop positively impacted their parenting skills and their children's noncompliant behavior, although the knowledge gains were the only significant difference maintained at the 3-month follow-up.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Understanding and Parenting Children's Noncompliant Behavior: The Efficacy of an Online Training Workshop for Resource Parents. White, L., Delaney, R., Pacifici, C., et al.[2020]

Citations

1. trialx.com trialx.com/clinical-trials/listings/313882/evaluation-of-the-parenting-in-the-moment-online-program-for-forcibly-displaced-families/

Evaluation of the Parenting in the Moment Online Program ... Overview. This Randomized Controlled Trial will test the effectiveness of the Parenting in the Moment (PIM) online parenting program for parents with ...

2. acf.gov acf.gov/opre/project/prevention-services-evaluation-partnerships-building-evidence-mental-health-substance

Prevention Services Evaluation Partnerships: Building ... PIM is an online parenting program for diverse families exposed to traumatic experiences related to or caused by their forced migration to the United States.

3. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-coercion-7-2024-31e5c

Online Parenting Program for Forcibly Displaced Families This Randomized Controlled Trial will test the effectiveness of the Parenting in the Moment (PIM) online parenting program for parents with experiences of ...

4. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10945979/

“It opened a new door for me”: A qualitative study of forcibly ... Our findings suggest that eConnect program may be a promising intervention to promote strengthened parent-teen relationships among forcibly displaced families.

5. support-parents.org support-parents.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Gillespie-S.-Banegas-J.-Maxwell-J.-Chan-A.-C.-Darawshy-N.-A.-S.-Wasil-A.-R.-.-Gewirtz-A.-2022.pdf

Parenting Interventions for Refugees and Forcibly ... Parenting interventions may have the potential to improve outcomes for displaced families. ... Outcomes and Program Effectiveness. The evaluations measured ...